Just Finished Installing my Robbins Top Myself

[sboost]

I just completed installing a Robbins glass window top myself on my 2000 Boxster and wanted to share some of my experience. I purchased mine from Topsonline off of eBay in original A5 canvas for $695. It arrived promptly and came complete with the harness for the window defroster and installation instructions. I also had the original Porsche instructions and Service Bulletin in addition to reading everything I could find about the job on this forum. I have to say that the instructions from Robbins were pretty good and included lots of photos. The only part I struggled with a bit was removing the plastic slide and clamping rail arrangement out of the main bow on each side. In this respect the instructions were vague and the procedure from the Porsche manual was just plain not possible. Once it was apart and I was able to see exactly how it fits together it made the assembly a lot easier. I will say though, that Porsche didn't leave a lot of room to squeeze these parts in and out of place from the main bow.

This was the first time I've ever replaced a top so I took my time working very methodically and slowly. If I had to do another my guess is that it would take me about 8 hours. In my opinion it is well within the capabilities of most DIYers, just requires a lot of patients and attention to detail. The fit is excellent. As good or better then the original with no wrinkles. If anything I'm concerned that it is too tight.

I also played around trying to get the best access to the engine with the top in the service position. Access is best when putting the top in the service position with it opened as little as possible at the front. In this way the window can pass just over the top of the roll bar which helps a lot. I would consider engine access greatly compromised in comparison with the plastic window top, but in the end still sufficient for probably any engine work.

I now understand why Porsche advises that the tension straps (the seat belt like straps on both sides) be replaced together with the top. At first this made no sense to me. Now I understand. Presumably, over time the straps and top stretch naturally in tandem, allowing the tension load to be partially carried by the straps. My new top is so tight that it took quite an effort just to close it. I did not replace the old tension straps and they now hang slack and don't carry any of the tension. I'm a bit concerned that all the tension is now carried solely by the top. The amount of force needed to close it makes me worry that the seams or fabric connection to the window might eventually give out. From what I've read in this forum, it is apparently normal for a new top to be very tight and after a few days it should stretch and require no more then normal force to close. Mine has been in the closed position for 5 days now (albeit parked in the garage) and it is still as tight as ever. I still have to manually force it forward to get the hook to catch and then use a lot of force on the lever to close it. I would be very interested in hearing about any experiences (good or bad) that other members have had with glass top conversions. I've read about some of the problems with the earlier GAHH tops detaching from the window, but assume that has long since been resolved and no longer occurs. Right ??

[Chris_in_NH]

congratulations!

did you happen to take any pictures? ;)

can you explain how you were able to solve the plastic slide/clamping rail problem? any detail on how these pieces fit together and come apart?

i have a replacement top, but haven't started installing it yet.

[sboost]

I did take a couple of before and after pics but nothing that would help with explaining any part of the job.

With respect to the slide and clamping rail, I found that the best (and only) way to remove them was together as an assembly and still fastened to the top. First remove the 2 torx head screws holding the clamping rail to the tension bow (one on the forward side that also holds the side tension cable, and the other at the back). Once this is done remove the clamping rail together with the slide and top from the main bow by removing the plastic pins and then squeezing the 4 fingers that hold the clamping rail together, and push the whole thing out of the main bow. In my case, despite being extra careful some of the fingers on the lower mount were just too brittle and broke. Probably pretty common because I read about the exact same thing happening to another forum member. No big deal because the clamping rail from Porsche was suprisingly cheap (about $11 each side). I would recommend buying them even before you start and replacing them anyway. Not being concerned with damaging them during removal will make the whole thing a lot easier.

Steven

[FrayAdjacent986]

A guy from PPBB did a good write up with pictures that he submitted as a tech article, and is awaiting approval.

I have his writeup and pictures. If anyone wants it, email me and I'll forward the documents! I'm tenatively planning on replacing my top with a glass window top maybe in June/July.

[986fan]

......... I'm tenatively planning on replacing my top with a glass window top.........

This is on my "long-term" list of things to do.............

[70Sixter]

I'm impressed! :cheers: I'd just as soon give myself heart bypass surgery as tackle top replacement.

[jurassicjaf]

Great job, Sboost!

I just bought a nicely moded 986. The convertible top is in good shape, but the plastic is shot. I just saw a plastic replacement on eBay (item #120148046344). The guy says it's an easy job. I'm not confident in my ability to do the job, does anyone have any experience in this? How much should I pay to git er done?

Thanks,

Jeff

[rsfeller]

Jeff,

Not sure if P owners are allowed to say git r done!

Those rear sew-ins don't go so well. I had my boat canvas guy do mine and it looks poor and I think he's top notch. Whole tops are $325 on ebay with good instructions, I'm going to do mine this month...you should too!